Hi,

wondering if the Ireland experts can help my tailor this itinerary because i feel that its a bit too urban - really want to find some country pubs, out-of-the-way places, etc...

fly to london, 2 nights
fly to dublin, 2 nights
ardmore, 1 night
kinsale, 1 night
killarney, 2 nights
dromoland, 2 nights


any recommendations of can't miss hikes, towns, restaurants, pubs, scenes, etc. would be appreciated

Ardmore is coastal and fairly quiet (tourist wise). Kinsale would not be my choice on the Cork coast but is coastal, you could try a little further west maybe Clonakilty. There are locals bars in Killarney or you could stay in Kenmare. Dromoland is in South east Clare and close to the village and Newmarket on Furgus. Most people head to west Clare but heading inland around Killaloe and up Lough Derg there are several Walks/Hikes.

Hi Tony,

thanks for the response - can i ask why not kinsale?

i've read that it is sort of a foodie hub of ireland, but the more research i do into the place, the more underwhelmed i'm feeling. we're looking for a coastal stop that we will be able to make it to in a day from ardmore with an afternoon spent in and around cork. i'll check out clonakilty.

best,
j.

It is very foodie, but has been known as such for a long time, and therefore everyone goes there. I much prefer Kenmare, myself, a smaller town, very walkable, very charming.

It also makes a great base to explore the Ring of Beara, Cork and the Ring of Kerry if you wish. It's close to the coast, but not RIGHT on it. Much better than Killarney or Kinsale, IMHO - you could combine both stops in one!

Kinsale was a quaint little fishing town like many others. Now it is a little over hyped, fishing has made way for tourism and the boats for yachts. Prices have risen to match the town's ego and new reputation. That said it is a nice enough place to visit, there are a couple of decent walks (Although the Golf Club have claimed the best and protect it like 1000 carat rock). Like a number of places I don't mind visiting but wouldn't want to stay overnight.

Cobh is more my taste, bit of a rough diamond, lots of day trippers but just an ordinary working harbour town come the evening.

Clonakilty still ticks the quaint coastal town box's

I'm with Tony on Kinsale. I was there overnight and wished I'd just spent part of a day and then pushed on. (could have pushed on as I was traveling without reservations, but wanted to see what all the hype was about--didn't find it) His description of Kinsale puts into words a feeling that I had but could describe.

I spent a night in Clonakilty once and enjoyed it. Had two nights in Cobh and wished I had pushed on from Kinsale. There was a train from there into Cork so we didn't have to deal with driving in the city and also gave the driver a break for the day. So I would take Tony's advice and choose Clonakilty or Cobh over Kinsale.

By the way, Kinsale might be a foodie capital but I have had equally wonderful meals in other places around Ireland.